A wxPython desktop controller application managing computer-based-test (CBT) exam centers: syncing primary and secondary servers, tracking live student and PC status, and handling exam-content delivery and result backup/upload.

The Challenge

CBT exam centers run on a primary/secondary server model with limited or intermittent single-site internet access, requiring reliable local coordination between servers to track student and workstation status, deliver exam content, and safely back up and upload results without dependence on constant connectivity.

Key Decisions & Tradeoffs

• Designed the primary/secondary server sync model to keep exam centers functional through unreliable connectivity, rather than assuming constant internet access.
• Built live monitoring of student and workstation status so exam staff could identify issues during a live test session.
• Implemented structured backup and upload handling for exam results, prioritizing data integrity for a high-stakes recruitment context.

Outcome

The controller was later adopted for use in Agniveer Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Air Force recruitment examinations.

Built at C-DAC Chennai. Described here at an architectural level; specific security and anti-tampering measures are intentionally omitted given the system’s use in recruitment-exam integrity.